Multiple Mass Range Triple Collector Spectrometer

This invention relates to mass spectrometers and more particularly to a mass spectrometer which has multiple collectors for simultaneously measuring the intensity of beams of ions of different mass.

Multiple collectors in mass spectrometers permit the simultaneous measurement of multiple ion beams. They have the advantage of collecting a greater proportion of the total available ion current during a given period of time with improved precision and reduced analyses times. The effects of fluctuations of ion beams with respect to time are reduced and other variables such as amplifier decay constant effects are eliminated.

Multiple collector mass spectrometers are particularly useful in geochronology wherein the intensity of certain radiogenic isotopes is measured and normalized on the assumption that certain ratios are constant. This technique is described in NATURAL RADIOGENIC ISOTOPES: TRACES OF GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES, A. W. Hofman Max-Planck-Institut fur Chemie 6500 Mainz, F.R. Germany, SPECTRA, Vol. 8, No. 4.

Typically, the isotopes of strontium are measured. However, the measurement of other isotopes is desirable. Because these isotopes have different mass, the positioning of the collector plates is changed to measure different isotope ratios. State of the art mass spectrometers have collectors with adjustable separations. Such mass spectrometers are described in MULTICOLLECTION IN THERMAL IONISATION MASS SPECTROMETRY by Patrick J. Turner, VG Isotopes Limited, Winford, Cheshire CW7 3BX, England and in publication 02.481 JC January 1982, a Newsletter from VG Isotopes Limited.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the resolving accuracy and speed of measurement of mass spectrometers which have multiple collectors.

In accordance with the present invention a mass spectrometer has a resolving plate having a plurality of aperture clusters which are selectively positioned between the ion beams and the fixed collectors. The apertures in each cluster have separations which allow beams of predetermined ion mass to impinge upon the collectors.

The resolving plate is rotatable on a shaft to selectively position one of the aperture clusters between the ion beams and the collectors. The collectors are rectangular Faraday cups and the apertures are slits which are positioned over the cups. A central slit in each cluster is at the same radial distance from the rotatable shaft so that as the disk is rotated the central slit in each cluster is aligned with a narrow central Faraday cup. Faraday cups on either side of the central one have a wider width to accommodate alignment with slits on both sides of the central slit and at different radial distances from the rotatable shaft.

In this manner, the resolving plate accurately selects ion beams according to mass. At the same time the resolving slits can be quickly changed to measure different isotope ratios.

In accordance with an improved modification of the invention the collectors are positioned at different distances from the source to accommodate different focal points of the beams of ions and the clusters of apertures on the resolving plate are on circumferential segments which are at different distances from the source of ions to accommodate different focal points of the beams.

The foregoing objects, features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following more detailed description and appended claims.

FIG. 1 shows the mass spectrometer of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the collector assembly in a view looking toward the resolving plate;

FIG. 3 shows the resolving plate and assembly removed from its housing;

FIG. 4 is a view of the collector assembly which shows the Faraday cups;

FIG. 5 is a view of the collector assembly from the rear;

FIG. 6 is a view of the collector assembly in its housing; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a modified resolving plate and collector.

Referring to FIG. 1 the mass spectrometer includes a source of ions emanating from a sample which is placed on one of the multiple filaments which are in the turret 11. Ions emanating from the filament are accelerated in the housing 12 which passes through the magnetic coil housing 13. The magnetic field created by these coils turns the ion beams with the radius of curvature being different for different mass ions. As a result, when the ion beams reach the collector 14, the beams are separated according to mass.

In accordance with the present invention, a resolving plate 15, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is positioned between the ion beams and the collectors, which are shown in FIG. 4. The collectors include a narrow width central Faraday cup 16 and Faraday cups 17 and 18 of wider width on both sides of the central cup.

Resolving plate 15 has a plurality of aperture clusters 19, 20, 21, and others. In the example shown, there are eight different aperture clusters for measuring eight different isotope ratios. The resolving plate 15 rotates on shaft 22 to selectively position one of the aperture clusters between the ion beams and the collectors.

Referring particularly to the cluster 19, it includes a central slit 23 which can be positioned over the narrow width central Faraday cup 16. Slits 24 and 25 are at determined distances from the central slit and they are selectively positioned over the cups 17 and 18 of wider width. The wide width of the cups 17 and 18 accommodates different separation distances between the central slit 23 and the other slits 24 and 25. These different distances resolve the ion beams according to mass. The central slits of all clusters are at the same radial distance about shaft 22. The other slits are at different radial distances about the shaft 22. In this manner a single set of fixed Faraday cups 16-18 can be used to measure the intensity of ion beams emanating from different isotopes.

A suppressor plate (not shown) is positioned between the resolving plate and the collectors. It is electrically isolated from the resolving plate 15 and the collectors 16-18. A sliding contact 26 applies the proper electrical potential to the secondary plate. The suppressor plate is similar in configuration to the resolving plate 15 and is also mounted on the shaft 22. The suppressor plate suppresses secondary electrons emitted from the Faraday cups.

A modification of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this modification the Faraday cups 16a, 17a and 18a are at different distances from the source of ions. For some isotopes, the focal plane is significantly different. The cups 16a, 17a and 18a are in the focal planes of these beams. The resolving plate 15a has circumferential segments 27, 28 and 29 which are at different distances from the source of ions. The different apertures of each cluster are in different circumferential segments so that the apertures are in the focal plane of each of the different ion beams.

While particular embodiments of the invention are shown and described, various modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are, therefore, intended to cover all such modifications.